Related Summaries

Google is in the thick of a developing battle over NFC-enabled mobile payments, with its Wallet service going up against a partnership between card majors Visa and American Express and the Isis payment system developed by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. On its side, Google has a list of big retailers -- including the Gap, Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Walgreens -- that are installing terminals for Google Wallet.

The field of NFC-enabled mobile payments will be broad enough that no clear winners or losers will emerge, says the head of the Isis venture, who welcomes the presence of competitor Google Wallet. "Anything that gets people moving is fine by me," said Michael Abbott, CEO of Isis, a partnership of AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA. Google's efforts will develop the market, he says, by boosting public awareness and getting the necessary interested parties on board.

ISIS, the telecom consortium that consists of T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T, is aiming to challenge Google by improving its mobile payment capabilities. A software development licensing deal allows the consortium to "build a secure transaction ecosystem and offer consumers a comprehensive mobile wallet for conducting payments, redeeming offers and storing loyalty cards," said Jayme Johnson, head of marketing for ISIS.

Isis has signed four top credit card companies --
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover -- to its carrier-backed mobile-payment joint venture that will compete with Google Wallet. Backed by Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile USA, the open-source Isis will let consumers use NFC-enabled smartphones to pay for goods at participating merchants.

Isis has signed four top credit card companies --
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover -- to its carrier-backed mobile-payment joint venture that will compete with Google Wallet. Backed by Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile USA, the open-source Isis will let consumers use NFC-enabled smartphones to pay for goods at participating merchants.